Santa Paula’s DARE Project Is in Jeopardy

Santa Paula’s DARE program, which annually teaches 500 schoolchildren how to avoid drugs, is in jeopardy because the police chief says he needs more officers on patrol.

“I can’t continue to have an officer in the schools without putting officers on the street,” said Chief Walter Adair, who complained that unfilled vacancies and long-term disabilities have left his small department shorthanded.

The program, which would be cut off in the fall, could be saved if the City Council next month allows Adair to use funds raised by Proposition 172 to add several officers.

If not, the current DARE officer, Jim Ward, would be transferred to street patrol.

No matter what happens, Adair said, he doesn’t intend to shut down the anti-drug program permanently and would try to reinstate it in January.

“I believe the community would be very upset if we had to discontinue the program,” Adair said.

Indeed, teachers and parents said they will fight to keep the program, which they believe is especially important in a town burdened with drug and gang problems.

“It’s an intervention we can’t afford to lose,” said Terry Hill, a fifth-grade teacher at Blanchard School. “Of course, I want the streets to be safe, but on the other hand, I want the kids to be safe, too.”

The program, which has been in Santa Paula schools for five years, targets fifth-grade students.

Ward visits each classroom once a week for a semester and talks to students about drugs and gangs. Like any other subject, there are lectures, discussions, homework and tests. At the end of the semester, the children write essays and participate in an emotional graduation ceremony.

Ward, who is on vacation, could not be reached for comment. In a brief interview a week ago, Ward said he hoped that the program will continue.

Patty Allen, president of the Parent Faculty Club at Thelma Bedell School, said she was upset to hear that Drug Abuse Resistance Education may not be offered next year.

Allen’s daughter has just finished the program and was very enthusiastic about it, Allen said.

“It gave her the knowledge to help her make an informed decision when, God forbid, the time comes when someone offers her drugs,” Allen said. “I know it will make her stop and think.”

Adair said that although the program is successful, the Police Department’s priority is law enforcement.

“Our first obligation is to provide public safety through law enforcement, and that happens on the street,” Adair said. “The other crime prevention efforts and community programs are wonderful, but they’re secondary to our primary mission, which is to enforce the law.”

Adair said he is down to 26 sworn officers--counting himself--in a department designated to have 30. Three officers are on long-term disability and one vacancy has not been filled. And several of the working officers are job-hunting at other police departments, Adair said.

The police chief declined to say exactly how many officers he will ask the City Council for in a few weeks, but plans to give several options.

The cost of running the DARE program is about $72,000 annually, which goes toward Ward’s salary and classroom materials.

In other Ventura County cities, DARE programs are sometimes sponsored by corporations. Adair said he does not plan to ask Santa Paula residents to help save the program.

“The community gets hit up a lot for donations, and DARE is a substantial commitment,” he said.

If the program is canceled, Santa Paula would join Oxnard and Port Hueneme as cities in Ventura County without a DARE class.